Pine Mountain (Oregon) facts for kids

Pine Mountain is a mountain located in Oregon, United States. It is found east of the city of Bend in Deschutes County. The mountain is famous for its Pine Mountain Observatory, which is a place where scientists and students study space.

Pine Mountain is made mostly of a type of volcanic rock called rhyolite. It is part of a larger group of rocks called the Deschutes Formation. This formation is linked to the Cascade Mountains, which are known for their volcanoes. Pine Mountain is one of the oldest parts of this formation.

What is Pine Mountain Like?

Pine Mountain has changed a lot over time due to erosion. This means wind and water have worn down its surface. The mountain is covered with thick layers of soil.

The mountain is made up of different kinds of volcanic rocks. These include basalt, rhyolite, andesite, and dacite. On the northwest side of the mountain, you can find dunes. These dunes are made of light, dusty volcanic rock called pumice. They also contain small pieces of volcanic rock known as lapilli.

A Fiery Sight in the Sky

On September 17, 1984, people at the Pine Mountain Observatory saw something amazing. A very bright fireball flew across the sky. It was heading northeast. Then, it broke into six glowing orange pieces. It must have been an incredible sight!